| When choosing a preschool for your child, there are | | | | assistant teachers? What is the turnover like? When |
| many factors to consider. Here is my best advice on | | | | you visit the school, do they look like they are happy to |
| what to consider when trying to find the first school for | | | | be there? Are they enthusiastic? |
| your little one. | | | | * Is the school affiliated with a church or temple? If so, |
| * Ask Yourself, "Is my child ready for preschool?" | | | | how much religious instruction do they offer? Are you |
| Early childhood experts agree that children under 2 | | | | comfortable with that? |
| who are developing normally and have loving, | | | | * How big are the classes? Size of classes is usually |
| supportive families don't need to be in school. As long | | | | dictated by the state. For example, the state may |
| as you are engaged with your child, visiting parks, | | | | mandate that in a classroom of 3 and 4-year-olds, |
| exploring the world, reading to him, and bringing him up | | | | there can be 15 students with 2 teachers (a head and |
| in a stimulating environment, school is not necessary at | | | | an assistant teacher). Some schools will even have |
| such a young age. You may have your own reasons | | | | smaller classes than the law requires. |
| for wanting a child that young in school. Perhaps you | | | | * Are you comfortable with the classroom? The room |
| are working full time and you feel the stimulation is | | | | should be light, clean, bright, and cheerful looking. You |
| important. Three-years-old is the ideal time to send | | | | don't want it to be so neat that children are inhibited |
| your child to preschool because most children are | | | | from expressing themselves. It should be arranged in a |
| more independent at that age, able to separate, and | | | | way that children can move around and retrieve |
| handle the physical demands of starting nursery school. | | | | materials themselves. Can you see your child going to |
| * Research the different types of early childhood | | | | this classroom every day and being happy? It is |
| education available in your area. The most common | | | | important to visit all the classrooms the school uses. I |
| philosophies followed by preschools are Montessori, | | | | remember considering one program for my daughter |
| Progressive, Traditional, Waldorf and Reggio Emilia. | | | | that had beautiful classrooms for the youngest |
| Google these and learn about each. If you search for | | | | students. However, classrooms for older students |
| them on YouTube, you can see these philosophies | | | | were located in a dark, unattractive basement. |
| brought to life in the classrooms. Then, when you tour | | | | * What is the outside space like? Ideally it will be |
| the preschools in your area, get a sense of which | | | | located right next to the school and the children won't |
| philosophy they follow. Some will strictly follow a | | | | have to cross a street to get there. One program I |
| philosophy. Others will mix aspects of different | | | | considered for my daughter used a local park as their |
| approaches together. | | | | playground. The kids took a van to get there. Even |
| * Try to stay in your neighborhood. This is my best | | | | though it wasn't far, I was uncomfortable with that |
| piece of advice. It's very hard to drag a little one far | | | | arrangement. |
| from home, especially in the morning. Plus, if you stay in | | | | * How much does the school cost? Can you afford it? |
| your neighborhood, your child will make friends with | | | | If it is too expensive, do they have a half-day program |
| kids who live nearby. | | | | that costs less? If it isn't expensive, are they cutting |
| * Choose a convenient time. Length of programs and | | | | corners you aren't comfortable with? |
| morning, afternoon or all-day availability varies. What | | | | * What is the parent body like? Do they encourage |
| you choose here will also affect the price. What fits | | | | parent participation? Is it a socially conscious |
| your schedule best? Does your child still nap? If so, you | | | | community, a wealthy one, a community where most |
| may not want to put him in the afternoon program. If | | | | moms work? If most moms work and you stay home, |
| you work and have a babysitter, afternoons might be | | | | will you be comfortable? In nursery school, if you feel |
| better because you won't be rushed in the morning. On | | | | at home with the community, your child will, too. |
| the other hand, if a nursery school is particularly | | | | * How hard is the school to get into? Some schools |
| competitive and you are willing to take a less popular | | | | are in high demand. You don't want to apply only to |
| time, your child may have a better chance to be | | | | those schools. Make sure you apply to a few that you |
| admitted. You can switch the time next year (although, | | | | really like and your child has a great chance to get into. |
| be warned, by then your child will have made friends in | | | | Finally, what is the feeling you get from the children, |
| her class and you probably won't want to switch). | | | | teachers, directors and all the activities you see taking |
| * Find a director you click with. Do you like the director | | | | place at a preschool. The most important thing you |
| of the school? She sets the tone. Is she someone | | | | can do is to trust your gut reaction to the school and |
| you'll be able to work with if a problem comes up | | | | whether or not it is the perfect place for your child. |
| later? If you need her to help you get your child into a | | | | Finding the right school for your child is a personal |
| competitive kindergarten, what is her track record? | | | | decision. What's right for you may not be right for your |
| Talk to friends and trust your gut. | | | | best friend. It is like finding the perfect mate or home. |
| * Assess the quality of the teachers. Do they have | | | | You might not be able to describe what you want |
| degrees in early childhood education? Are there | | | | before you find it, but when you do, you know it's right. |